As we journey through Passion Week—the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and glorious resurrection—each day reveals powerful truths from our Savior and the mission He came to fulfill. Monday is no exception. It’s a day marked by righteous anger, bold action, and a strong call to authentic faith.
Matthew 21:12-22, Mark 11:12-19, Luke 19:45-48
Let’s take a look at what happened on Monday of Passion Week, through the lens of Scripture and what it means for us today.
On Monday of Passion Week, Jesus took decisive and prophetic actions that revealed His divine authority and further intensified the conflict with the religious leaders. The key events include:
- The Cursing of the Fig Tree (Mark 11:12–14, 20–21; Matthew 21:18–19)
- On His way from Bethany to Jerusalem, Jesus saw a fig tree in the distance. It had leaves, which normally meant it should have fruit. But as He approached, He found nothing. Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” At first glance, this might seem surprising. But in the context of what was happening in Jerusalem—especially among the religious leaders—it becomes crystal clear. The fig tree was a symbol. It represented Israel, particularly the religious elite who looked spiritually healthy on the outside but lacked the fruit of real righteousness. Jesus wasn’t just upset over a tree. He was making a bold statement against empty religion and hypocrisy. This is a powerful reminder: God desires lives that bear fruit—real, gospel-centered fruit. We can have the appearance of faith, go to church, say the right things—but if our hearts aren’t rooted in Jesus, it’s all for show.
- The Cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12–17; Mark 11:15–18; Luke 19:45–48)
- As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He went straight to the Temple. What He found there stirred His righteous anger.
- The Temple courts were filled with money changers and merchants—people who had turned a place of prayer into a place of profit. So Jesus flipped tables. He drove them out. And He quoted Scripture, saying, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.”
- This wasn’t just about bad business practices. This was about corruption of worship. The Temple was meant to be a place where people could draw near to God. Instead, the poor were being taken advantage of, and God’s holiness was being dishonored. Just as Jesus had the authority to cleanse the Temple, He has the authority to examine our hearts and our churches today.
God’s Word invites us to reflect and see:
- Christ’s Authority: Jesus demonstrated that He is Lord and had the right to purify God’s house.
- The Calling to Bear Fruit: God desires lives that bear fruit—real, gospel-centered fruit. The only way this happens is change of heart that true repentance and faith brings.
- Worship and Holiness: Worship must be God-centered, not driven by greed or external ritual.
- Opposition Intensifies: The religious leaders began looking for a way to destroy Him, setting the stage for the crucifixion.
As we walk through this week, may we let Jesus examine our hearts. Are we bearing fruit? Are we worshiping in spirit and in truth? Are we drawing near to Him with childlike faith?
Monday was just the second day of Passion Week—but it pointed unmistakably to the cross that was coming… and the empty tomb that would follow.